FIFA: Brazilian Zico invites other presidential candidates to participate in a public debate

"I invite you to join efforts in order to stimulate and organize a public debate with all the potential candidates at the earliest possible date," said Zico (BRA), a candidate for the FIFA presidency, in an email sent to the other candidates and published on 31/08/2015.

The former Brazilian international (72 caps between 1976 and 1988) announced his intention to run for the presidency of the international federation on 10/06/2015. These elections will be held during an extraordinary FIFA Congress held in Zurich (SUI) on 26/02/2016. This date was set by the FIFA executive committee on 20/07/2015. The deadline for submission of candidate applications is 26/10/2015. A candidate for the office of FIFA president is only valid if the person is supported by at least five of the 209 FIFA member associations.

"It is of the utmost importance that all member associations get the chance to know better all potential candidates and their ideas as soon as possible," said Zico, who had stated at the announcement of his candidacy, his opposition to the rule of candidates having to be supported by…